WHY I LOVE TRAVELLING ALONE AND WHAT I'VE LEARNT FROM IT

'Isn't it dangerous to travel alone at this age?', 'How did you persuade your parents to let you travel alone?'

These are two of the common questions that I get asked all the time when my friends asks me about my trip. I wouldn't consider it as 'travelling alone' yet since I make friends throughout my travel and then explore a new place together otherwise it's my sister and I travelling together. I'm guessing what my friends meant by 'travelling alone' is how I get to travel without my parents.

My first experience 'alone' was with my sister in Seoul. We spent a month there travelling during my free time after class. The first few days alone was hell because I got homesick and the cold weather was killing me. I was 16 at that time and my sister was 14.

Seoul 2014.

My second experience 'alone' also happened to be my first flight alone. I flew to Melbourne to attend a leadership program and it was the best flight ever. I got to talk to many people who shared their experiences and I benefited a lot from there. After a week in Melbourne, I flew to Sydney alone and spent 2.5 weeks there where I spent a week with my best friend, Veyana who was my roommate in Melbourne.

Melbourne 2015.

Sydney 2015.

The latest trip alone was to Singapore during the Labour Day weekend. I got lost several times during this trip because I didn't plan anything and just explore whatever I find myself into. Not to mention I also got to hang out with Veyana and Noelle again after soooooo long!

Singapore 2016.

So, why do I love travelling alone?

1. Because I get a sense of achievement when I succeed in something by myself.

I feel proud that I've done something without help. Even little things like buying a MRT ticket and knowing the street names around Town Hall Sydney makes me feel proud. I also tend to do things I never thought I'd have done like spontaneously buying a ticket to walk the Skywalk in Sydney Tower just because it was 'adults on child price' that day. 

My advice: Do the things you wouldn't really do when you travel with your family.

2. It helps me to get out of my comfort zone.

When I travel with my parents, I know that they're there to take care of me and make sure I eat so I don't get homesick whatsoever. But when I travel without them, everything is on myself. They provide me with enough money to survive and I have to make sure I don't overspend. I'm more careful in spending my money knowing that I don't have a card and that the cash on me is all I have.

3. I get to stop and enjoy little things.

Sometimes travelling with your family means that you'll spend a lot of time talking to them, and you tend to neglect the surroundings. Travelling alone has allowed me to stop and see little things, somethings as small as the fallen leaves as you walk home, stopping to enjoy the snow when everyone is running away from it. It's beautiful to see such little wonders and you'll remember the moments more.

4. I don't have to rush.

One thing that I learn from Veyana while we were in Sydney is that we chill. Take your time, walk around and enjoy the scroll. Not everything will work as plan. Sometimes following what you feel like doing on that day itself is fun too! I never would've found a free museum in The Rocks if I were to follow my plans. Spontaneous travel is fun. Try it and you won't regret. Who cares if you get lost? You'll find something new to see from the place you're lost. 

So, what I've learnt from my experiences?

1. It's not really the freedom you think of having.

Yes, you'll feel free that your family is not going to shout and you and you can do whatever you want. But that's not all of it. The pictures you see that is posted on the web is just a part of it. There will be times you'll want your family to help you because you're lost or you can't figure things out. You'll need your parents to yell at you so you don't make the wrong choice. 

2. You're on your own.

As scary as it may sound, you're on your own. You'll learn to make wise decisions as you travel and it'll benefit you in the long run. Always remember what your family has taught you since you were young and you'll know what to do in order to survive alone. It's not that hard but it's not easy either. As you spend more days alone travelling, your thinking will grow mature. You'll also become a more mature person as you've learnt to manage things by yourself. 

3. You'll be extra cautious and alert 24/7.

This is very important. You've got to prepare yourself for every possible situations. You're alone in a foreign land, you don't know the people there. You've got to be extra cautious in your surroundings. Beware of pickpockets, snatch thief, and bad guys. You have to always remind yourself to not trust anyone even though that country might be safe. Anything can happen so always be aware.

Also, if you're wondering why my parents allow me to travel without them at such young age, I'll tell you what I know. My parents made me do all the check in and procedures every time we travel since I became a high school student. They showed me how to do once, and the rest is on me. I've gotten used to the procedures and everything so that part is definitely not a problem anymore.

I'll always help my mom when she does the budgeting and planning for our travel so I'm aware of everything. How much will this cost and how much should we spend a day on average and etc. I'll get to know the place before hand so I know what to expect in general.

My parents believe in education outside of school. I always classify our family trip as 'education trip' because of the insane amount of things a country and their culture can teach us. They believe that we should meet more of the people outside our own country and learn the different culture of others rather than staying home and remain in that small social circle. Why stay home when you can make more friends? They hate seeing us being unproductive at home.

I'm also the eldest in the family so naturally I'm more independent than my two younger siblings. I think they allow me to go explore myself because they know that I'm capable of taking care of myself?

These are just based solely on my experiences and opinions so it may differ from others. Nevertheless, do share your experiences with me! I'd love to listen to your travel stories!